What to expect

We do not expect picketing at any PHSA sites. This job action is limited to HSA employees who work in the departments listed below. All other areas should be fully staffed.

In order to provide safe patient care, we may need to postpone some non-emergency procedures, including surgeries and diagnostic tests. Patients requiring emergency care will not be postponed.

Where a patient’s procedure is postponed, we will contact the patient directly, and will reschedule as quickly as possible. The rebooked procedure will have top priority; they will not go to the bottom of the list. We ask that patients do not call our facilities to inquire about their scheduled procedures.

PHSA understand that this disruption can cause concern and anxiety for patients, their family members and is working to ensure families are made aware of any changes to appointments. At this point, we are not able to compensate patients for travel or other costs related to postponements.

If you have concerns about the affect this postponement will have on your health or medical care, or if you feel your medical condition has changed, please contact your doctor.

Diagnostic imaging and public health service impacts

On Friday, December 7, job action will take place between 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for the following services:

Diagnostic imaging

BCCDC specialists in Food and Radiation Safety

The HSPBA has advised us that they will only support surgeries that are considered “urgent, emergent, or cancer/equivalent.” Because of this, Diagnostic Imaging is unable to support additional surgeries that do not meet this criteria.

Pharmacy service impacts

On Thursday, December 6, job action will affect pharmacy services at all PHSA sites from 9:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Pharmacy services are expected to continue, however, due to reduced staffing, patients may experience a longer wait in receiving medication.

Other impacts:

There may be delays in discharges where a pharmacist would facilitate the process.

There may be delays in filling prescriptions in the Ambulatory Care pharmacy at the Oak Street campus. Priority will be given to prescriptions that cannot be filled in other community pharmacies.

*Important note: Chemotherapy treatments at the BC Cancer Agency will proceed as scheduled.

PHSA improves the health of British Columbians by seeking province-wide solutions to specialized health care needs in collaboration with BC health authorities and other partners. Learn more about our agencies and services